Latest Posts

Biblical ethics: Who believes that stuff anymore?

While our Presbyterian General Assembly met in San Jose, a presidential candidate out on the stump asked during a speech, “Which passages of Scripture should guide our public policy? 

Embrace the frog

For as long as I have been a pastor (almost 20 years), I have heard my evangelical brothers and sisters use as a paradigm for dealing with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) the parable of the frog in water brought to a gradual boil.

Indian schools shut down to protest attacks on Christians

Bangalore, India — (ENI) Churches in India are to close about 30,000 of their educational institutions across the country tomorrow (August 29) to protest against continuing attacks by mobs of Hindus in the country's eastern state of Orissa and which Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has told bishops, is a "national shame".

Peacemaking Colloquium on gun violence and Gospel values September 15-17

The 2008 Peacemaking Colloquium at Stony Point Center with the theme of “Gun Violence and Gospel Values,” is planned September 15-17 at Stony Point Center, 35 miles north of New York City. 

New mission appointees begin service

(PNS) Twelve new Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) mission appointees recently completed orientation and have begun their international assignments.

Lakes and Prairies PJC upholds restoration of openly gay minister

Synod of Lakes and Prairies Communications Director

 EAGAN, MINN.  — (PNS) The Permanent Judicial Commission of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies on Aug. 12 dismissed a remedial case filed against the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area that sought to nullify the presbytery’s Jan. 26 action to restore Paul Capetz, an openly gay man, to the exercise of ordained ministry.

Evangelical interviews McCain, Obama on religion and morals

(ENI)--Barack Obama articulated his Christian faith thus dispelling rumors he is a Muslim. John McCain demonstrated an ability to electrify evangelical Christians. And Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren proved Americans can discuss religion and politics without the bitterness, rancor and polarization that characterized the 2004 U.S. election.

Katrina volunteers keep going back; “I’m going to meet God in Mississippi”

This is what people from the Gulf Coast tell Linda Gebetsberger, a pastor from Oregon, every time she heads home. “Let them know that we still need help.”

Church leaders lift up Knoxville faith community after shootings

LOUISVILLE — Four top leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have sent a letter to all of the denomination’s congregations asking them to pray for those affected by the shootings in a Knoxville, Tenn., church on July 27.

The annual stewardship campaign: Burden or blessing

Many elders, deacons, and pastors are less than pleased when the subject of the annual stewardship campaign comes up. In many churches the activities that make up this campaign are the only time the majority of members hear the term stewardship and it is often one of the few times they hear money and faith linked in worship.

Stewardship Resources

Websites that might be helpful:

www.pcusa.org/stewardship

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) resources for annual campaigns stewardship in general and stewardship education. Either: The Stewardship Manual PDS #72530-94-001 or Confident Steward 2.0 – an interactive CD

Stewardship’s spiritual foundations “will preach”

Stewardship season is coming. For most congregations it’s akin to getting a flu shot. Each autumn we volunteer reluctantly to be pricked in the body’s nether regions hoping all the while to be protected against further exposure for another year. It’s no surprise, then, that so many pastors speak reluctantly, if at all, on the topics of money and generosity.

Giving: The Forgotten Spiritual Gift

Does your church play favorites?

Do you give some members special treatment while ignoring others?

Pastors, are you energized by the mention of Stewardship?

Many pastors look at stewardship  as being repetitious and, frankly, less then exciting. Unfortunately, many pastors become extremely uncomfortable regarding the subject of money and giving. They view what seems like endless urgent appeals as a chore and not as an opportunity for their members to grow in their faith. Yet we know that pursuing mission requires financial support. A familiar quote says, “Ever since its invention by the Phoenicians 3,000 years ago, there has been a wonderful way of saying ‘thank you,’ it is called money.”

Elephants dancing on a multi-tiered stage

For the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to move into God’s future, it must let go of its carefully stacked layers of church bureaucracy. For years now, the stacked layers have been in danger of crumbling/imploding on each other, weighed down as they are by years of history and unrealizable expectations—not to mention the dancing elephants.

Missional and faithful? PGF Conference ponders the future of the PC(USA)

“It is not about getting the world into the church, it is about getting the church into the world,” said Rob Weingartner to the closing session of the third annual PGF Inside Out Conference that concluded Saturday (August 16.) Throughout the three-day conference in Long Beach, California, that sentiment was intertwined with a question explored in the Friday night session, “Can We Be Faithful in the PC(USA)?”

Global Fellowship begins with kick in the pants

The Presbyterian Global Fellowship’s third annual conference, “Inside Out,” began in Long Beach, California on Thursday evening.  While a praise band filled the room with U2’s “Beautiful Day,” close to 1000 conference attendees from 34 states and 4 continents filed into the event’s opening session.

After half an hour of praise and worship music led by the Bel Air Praise Band, PGF Executive Director Kelly Kannwisher welcomed the attendees to the conference. 

PC(USA) and RCA send letter to churches in Georgia and Russia

LOUISVILLE — As the conflict in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia continues, Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has joined with Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, general secretary of the Reformed Church in America (RCA), in sending a letter of concern and solidarity to church partners in Georgia and Russia.

PDA supporting relief efforts in Georgia helping refugees and those displaced by fighting

LOUISVILLE — Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is supporting humanitarian relief efforts to help refugees and those displaced by fighting in the embattled former Soviet republic of Georgia.

Pittsburgh minister Janet Edwards headed back to court over same-sex wedding ceremony

LOUISVILLE — Janet Edwards, a Presbyterian minister in Pittsburgh, is headed back to church court later this year for conducting a marriage ceremony for two women even though charges against her for performing the nuptials were dismissed in 2006.